4th of july

The Most Dangerous Fireworks Aren't Always the Biggest

The 4th of July is here and that means fun and fireworks. Fireworks shows are notoriously expensive to put on so hosting one in your backyard can be a real treat and a great way to entertain family and guests over the holiday weekend. Unfortunately fireworks can also be quite dangerous, with the potential for accidents and injuries ranging from minor cuts and scrapes to life threatening burns or worse. According to the CDC 7,000 people went to the ER for fireworks related injuries in 2008 over the 4th of July, and 7 people were killed.

So which fireworks are the most dangerous? It's not always the biggest, baddest, and most expensive ones that pose a serious health risk. Here are the top three most dangerous types of fireworks.

#1 Firecrackers (900 injuries in 2008) Potential for them to explode at close range and injure eyes, face, or hands.

#2 Sparklers (800 injuries in 2008) High risk for burning skin or igniting clothing because they're hand held and burn at over 1,000ºF.

#3 Rockets (300 injuries in 2008) Can fly into the eyes and face with great force.

Statistics show that setting up and using fireworks is much more dangerous than being a bystander, and young males under the age of 20 are most likely to get hurt. But there are exceptions to every rule and in reality anyone near the fireworks is at risk. Being careful, cautious, and responsible with fireworks can go a long way towards keeping everybody safe, but according to the CDC the only way to really prevent accidents is to hire trained professionals. And why not? You'll get a bigger, better show with less hassle and no worries about setup, take-down, and what's legal or illegal. Have a safe and happy holiday.

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Tags: 4th of July, entertainment, fireworks, main-pedia, outdoor entertainment, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, pedia-main

The Red, White and Sapphire Cocktail

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Bombay Sapphire, the distinctive London dry gin infused with 10 botanicals hand-selected from around the globe, has come up with a festive twist on the classic Collins cocktail in honor of Independence Day, called the Red White and Sapphire (right).

Bombay Sapphire, distilled from 100% grain neutral spirit using a recipe that actually predates the Declaration of Independence by 15 years, includes lemon peel from Spain, orris root from Italy, coriander seeds from Mexico and cassia bark from Indo-China, among others.

To make a Red White and Sapphire:

1 1⁄2 oz. Bombay Sapphire
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
3⁄4 oz. simple syrup
3-4 fresh raspberries
3 oz. club soda

Muddle raspberries with simple syrup and lemon juice in a Collins glass. Add ice, Bombay Sapphire and stir. Top with club soda. Garnish with lemon twist and a fresh raspberry. Repeat as necessary.

Tags: 4th of July, 4thOfJuly, Bombay Sapphire, BombaySapphire, cocktails, gin, Independence Day, IndependenceDay, summer cocktails, SummerCocktails

Red, White, and Blue, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Happy Fourth of July! What better way to accent your outfit and show off your patriotic spirit this Independence Day than with a stylish new handbag. Designed by Julie Feldman and described as an "Americana tootsie roll handbag" (now I'm craving candy) this classic and simple bag is made of distressed leather with two rolled leather handles and zip closure at the top. I love the earthy and worn looking stars and stripes because they're so much less obnoxious than the brightly colored versions, and make the bag that much easier keep using all summer. $490

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Tags: 4th of july, 4thOfJuly, american, american flag, american flags, AmericanFlag, AmericanFlags, bag, bags, fourth of july, FourthOfJuly, handbag, handbag of the day, HandbagOfTheDay, handbags, holiday, holidays, independence day, IndependenceDay, patriotic, patriotism